Team SD Walks has announced that Lorena Wiebes will transfer from rival Team DSM to the Dutch team in 2023. The announcement came after reports of the transfer emerged at last week's Tour de France Femme.

And now that SD Worx has approved the move, Wiebes will assume a leadership role alongside Demi Volering and Lotte Kopecky.

"Her being gone is something we have to deal with," admitted Albert Timmer, Directoreur Sportif of Team DSM.

Wiebes, who has 17 wins so far this season, is arguably the best sprinter in the women's peloton. She was under contract with Team DSM until 2024, but her contract with Team DSM has a termination clause that allows her to change teams if she gets a better offer. Team DSM and Team SD Walks reached an agreement on the transfer after discussions with the UCI.

The 23-year-old sprinter from Maidrecht, Netherlands, has signed a three-year contract (2023-2025) with SD Worx.

"For years I have dreamed of being part of the best UCI women's team in the world, with several world-class riders who could lift me up," Wiebes said.

"Basically, I wanted to stay with my current team, but Team SD Walks offered me a lot of opportunities. I am proud of my time with Team DSM, which has been beneficial and very successful. I will work hard to make the rest of this season a success."

SD Volks is one of the strongest riders in the women's World Tour peloton, with Volering, who finished second in the Tour de France and was crowned queen of the mountains. However, the girls lacked a world-class sprinter. Vives filled that gap.

She won the opening stage of the Tour de France Femme in Paris to take her first leader's jersey. She held the green jersey for several days, but abandoned the race on stage 7 due to a major crash the day before.

"Lorena is a pure sprint star. Lorena is a pure sprint star. In terms of pure speed, she is by far," said sport manager Danny Stamm

.

"The number of wins she has had this season speaks volumes about her qualities. We mainly race tough and as a team we like to make races, but it's also nice to have a big chance in the sprints. Demi Vollering, Lotte Kopecky, and Lorena Wiebes will be world-class riders for the next few years, each in their own right.

"Wiebes will be aiming for a serious group sprint, while Kopecky will be working in a slightly tougher race. Vieves also has the talent to develop further. One of the strengths of our team is that we have several top riders at the start. Additionally, there are more races on the calendar in women's cycling. It also means we are riding more double programs and have to invest in them."

Team manager Erwin Jansen said the team's goal going forward is to maintain its No. 1 UCI ranking.

"In the flat sprints, the team lacks speed right now. We want to contend for victory in all disciplines. We have three world-class riders complemented by experienced riders and the most talented riders in the peloton," Janssen said.

"Financially, our three top riders are on the same level within the team. Volering, Kopecký, and Wiebes have consciously chosen the sporting route we have set as a team."